Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-09

o wimmun folks, no how. They are mighty
uncertain creeturs-
aWhy, papin exclaimed his eldest daughter,
a mixture of indignation and reproach in her
tone.
snow, | amt a-meanin ter throw off on
'em, an don't say as they amt all steddy
enough when they settle down, but a gal in
love is the uncertainties creetur that ever
lived. Now Sphiry Ann amt a-lackin' in
common sense an grit, if she does belong to
me- he continued, with calm nmpartiality :;
fan' eff she wants ter marry Gabe Plummer
fore craps air laid by, she kin do it."
But it was Monday again, and Sphiry felt
that her fortune was still an unsettled thing
"Ef it hadn't a ben for thinkin' o. Al Heir
dries wife, she said TO herself again and
again, and the old spinning wheel few swift
ly beneath strong young fingers, and the vel
low corn husk on the spindle filled slowly
with smooth even thread She could look as
iowncast and troubled as her heart prompt
ed, for no curious ewes were resting on her
Was it tries A shadow suddenly darkened
the doorway
@Howd'y'do, S'pbiry Ann"
The half twisted thread fell from her fin
gers, writhed and rolled along the floor, fair
sport for the kitten lazily coiled on the
hearth, while she turned toward the secretly
wished for hut unexpected visitor. She tremi-
bled and the color in her face flushed and
paled
"t4abeln Then quickly, and with a swift
searching glance toward the road, dis it safe
fer you'uns ter be herey'
ayes, they air gone-an' ter the devil,
hope He leaned against the wall, jaded,
| forlorn looking, the week of hiding out not
improving either temper or appearance,
Take cheer, an set down, Gabe, she said,
| a vibration of tenderest pity i'll her voice.
81 amt -keerin' tn rest jest yit. That was
a good turn you'uns done us t'other night.
hadn't a. hen fer that don't know how to
| thank youuns fer it. Sphiry Ann he said
| with strong emotion IN his voice,
Don't Gahew she stammered, stopping Il
snatch the tangled thread from the paws OF
| the kitten.
"Would you'nns o. done it fer me''
| "'Taint far tn he AKIN sech questions,
she said defensively
| "Coriin' tn promise you'uns air tn marry
| me"
| L SUI IL IL you hilS bd 90 tcSh tu th'
| clesrin'
ayes. an that's jest what I'm a-goin III do
| I've had a week o. thinkin', an now I'm vlllin
tn low You uns kin hey your way. Amt bel
afeerd tn put my bead onten the holler:' b
continued In angry disgust; "afeerd tn tech {
dead leaf fer the noise it made, aieerd tn draw
my breath, an tell We | amt ahankerin
arter any more sech days, an tole the boy
so, an I'm a-goin' back til the ciearin e
every crap fails"
S'phiry Ann stood by the w. eel, her fac
turned from him, silent, motionless. H
waited IA moment. then strobe across the foo
and laid his hand on her shoulder.
"We'uns mus settle it now. S'phiry.
amt a-blamin' youuns now, though / don
say | didn't back wander a week ergo, fe
ssandin tn principle"
"lf it hadn't a ben fer thilliin o Al Hen
dries wife, she said gently
I've bn a-lovin' youuns er long tlG.e, at
its time tn settle what we air a-goin tn do ="
"The rlearin' settles it, Gabe," she mur
INJURED. and turned her head slowly until he
eyes, softly radiant, met his eager. erdeI
ones MAI Grim in Century Magazine.